Prelims 2015 · archive
EasyConsider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy:
- 1.The Principles spell out the socio-economic democracy in the country.
- 2.The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The Directive Principles set out the social and economic goals a welfare State must work towards, which is the idea of socio-economic democracy. Article 37 also says they cannot be enforced by any court.
- ✓ 1. Part IV sets goals such as an adequate livelihood, equal pay for equal work and equitable distribution of resources. These go beyond political rights and aim at a welfare State with social and economic justice. Taken together, the Directive Principles form a charter of social and economic democracy in India.
- ✓ 2. Article 37 says the provisions of Part IV 'shall not be enforceable by any court'. They are therefore non-justiciable. A citizen cannot go to court to compel the government to implement them.
Remember · Article 37: Directive Principles are non-justiciable but fundamental in governance. They embody social and economic democracy, whereas Fundamental Rights mainly secure political democracy.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 2 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- Constitution of India, Part IV, Article 37 (legislative.gov.in text) ↗ “The provisions contained in this Part shall not be enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country”
- NCERT Class 11 · Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 2 “Thus, these guidelines are 'non-justiciable' i.e., parts of the Constitution that cannot be enforced by the judiciary.”
- National Judicial Academy, Fundamental Rights and Restrictions on Entrenched Rights ↗ “Taking together they form a charter of social and economic democracy in India and represent the basic principles which aim at the creation of a welfare State.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2015, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·